It is easy to break down and destroy; heroes are those who make peace & build: Nelson Mandela:

#NelsonMandela, #BanKi-moon, #AntónioGuterres, #SelloHatang
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Toronto, July 19 (Canadian-Media): In observing "Nelson Mandela International Day” on July 18 -- the day Nelson Mandela was born – the Nelson Mandela Foundation is dedicating this year's Mandela Day to Action Against Poverty, in honour of Nelson Mandela's leadership and devotion to fighting poverty and promoting social justice for all, media reports said. ​

Nelson Mandela. Image credit: en.UNESCO.org

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“Nelson Mandela showed what is possible for our world and within each one of us — if we believe, dream and work together. Let us continue each day to be inspired by his lifelong example and his call to never cease working for a better and more just world,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, United Nations reports said.

The General Assembly, decided In December 2015, to extend the scope of Nelson Mandela International Day to promote humane conditions of imprisonment and not only adopted the revised United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, but also approved that they should be known as the "Nelson Mandela Rules" in order to honour the legacy of the late President of South Africa, who spent 27 years in prison.

On the occasion of Nelson Mandela International Day, Secretary-General António Guterres told a meeting of the General Assembly,

“Each of us can be inspired by Nelson Mandela’s example, and by his famous words: It always seems impossible until it’s done. Each of us can make a difference in promoting peace, human rights, sustainable development, and lives of dignity for all."

Chief Executive of the Nelson Mandela’s Foundation Sello Hatang says “It is important that one consider their ability to be of service in a manner that makes a difference. In addition to volunteering, the Foundation urges those taking part in Mandela Day activities to continue with their effort well beyond July 18 in our quest to make every a Mandela Day".

This year’s theme is: Taking #ActionAgainstPoverty.

“Today allows us to recommit ourselves to taking action and inspiring change so that we can make every day a Mandela Day. As we go out to plant gardens, build houses or feed pupils, we must know that it does not stop there; July 18 is the start of taking action, not the end. We want South Africans and people around the world to commit to long-term, sustainable projects that will tackle poverty.” says Hatang.

The Foundation has adopted the message #ActionAgainstPoverty,

“Poverty and inequality are eroding the foundations of the democratic and just society that Madiba fought so hard to establish, and for which he laid the building blocks. Unless we tackle poverty, on a sustained and committed basis, Nelson Mandela’s dream of a better life for all will remain just a pipe dream.” concluded Hatang.
 
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)